‘Listen, Neel. You are one of the most organised people I know. You always think things through before you do anything, but when you’re with this woman, whom we have not even met, you do things that are out of character… the marriage, the secrecy, and now prolonging the inevitable.’
She spoke softly, perhaps to soften the blow.
‘Neel, you don’t deserve this.’
He sighed. ‘I know. I know all these things. But I… just a month, Sari,’ he replied.
‘Fine, we can make this work. This – as in your job as the CEO of a massive company.’
He hesitated for a few seconds.
‘Yes?’
Sari knew him so well.
‘Someone has to tell Natara,’ he ventured.
‘No, Neel. That’s where I draw the line. You and only you must face the music.’
He ran his hand through his hair again.
‘I’ll send her a text message.’
‘WHAT? You want to send your sister a text message – yourtwin sister? The same sister who drew up the divorce papers, which you are refusing to get signed? The same sister who terrifies everyone who knows her? Are you mad?’
‘That’s resolved then. I’ll send her a text message,’ he said calmly.
‘Did you hear a word I said?’
‘I did. I’d better head down to reception. I need to upgrade to a suite. I’ll talk—’
‘No. I made the booking. I’ll call for the upgrade. Listen, Neel, we’ve been friends for a pretty long time. I don’t know what happened between you and this woman, but I do remember the pain you went through. I don’t want to see you hurt again,’ Sarika said. She whispered the word ‘hurt’.
‘I know, Sari. I appreciate your friendship. I’d appreciate it more if you called Natara,’ he ventured.
‘Not going to happen. Bye,’ she added quickly, hanging up before he could reply.
Like a coward, Neel sent a text message to his sister. Exactly ten seconds later, her name flashed on his phone’s screen. He ignored it. It rang again. He ignored it again.
A text message popped up in his chat app.
CALL ME!!!!!
No.
I knew I should have taken care of this myself. Why are you such a fool?
Takes one to know one.
WHAT! We’re almost 31 years old and that’s your comeback? Answer the phone!
Neel’s phone rang again. He let it go to voicemail and wrote instead:
Nats, I got to do this. Just let me figure it out. Please.
Three dots appeared on his screen. She was obviously typing a long response.
Finally, her message came through.
